Design of a recyclable Y2O3-g-C3N4 as an auspicious nanosorbent for removing malachite green dye

The recent development of industrial and agricultural technology has led to severe environmental damage, most notably water pollution, which poses a serious threat to water security, considering population increases and a decrease in global drinking water sources. In this direction, a nanostructure (Y₂O₃-g-C₃N₄) with a BET surface area of 82.14 m². g⁻¹ was employed for the first time as a novel sorbent to remove malachite green (MG) from the aqueous phase. Besides, the SEM, TEM, and EDX data verified the integration of 14.17 nm Y₂O₃ nanoparticles into the g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. The experimental adsorption results confirmed the best fitting to the well-known Langmuir isotherm equation, achieving q_max = 1297 mg g¹ of MG uptake, and the kinetic model calculations revealed a single-step mechanism involving a pseudo-second-order chemical reaction with a rate constant of 0.00134 mg./mg. min, which accounted for the chemisorption of MG dye on the Y₂O₃-g-C₃N₄ nanostructure sample. Due to its ease of manufacture and ecologically acceptable procedure, the Y₂O₃-g-C₃N₄ nanostructure was recognized as a desirable and promising candidate for eradicating tainted organic dyes. The newly synthesized Y₂O₃-g-C₃N₄ nanostructure with a high surface area demonstrated a short contact time, outstanding removal capacity, five times recyclability, and multiple dyes elimination nominating it a potentially valuable nanosorbent for the adsorption of dyes from wastewater.